Step-ladder



(NoMode1 r D. A. FOSTER.

STEP LADDER.

No. 314,118. Patented Mar. 17, 18.85.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID A. FOSTER, OF DUBLIN, INDIANA.

fSTEP-LADDER,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 314,118, dated March 17, 1885.

' Application filed July 30, 19:54. (No model.) I

To ctZZ whom itmay concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID A. FOSTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dublin, in the county of \Vayne and State'of Indiana, have'invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a vertical sec tional view of my ladder. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same, and Figs. 3and 4 are detail views.

This invention has relation to step'ladders; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of devices, as hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the side rails of the stepladder, the lower ends of which are formed at an angle with the main portions, as indicated at B, so that when the ladder is set up the lower ends or feet, B, will stand perpendicularly, resting squarely upon the floor, and preventing to a great extent the danger ofslipping. These side rails, A, are bowed outwardly with reference to their ends,their upper portions approaching each other and their lower portions standing vertical and parallel, or nearly so, as shown. To the upper ends of the rails A is secured the top shelf or step, O,which is extended in rear, as indicated at D, to provide ample support for tools or other articles. The successive steps are lettered E and E, the lower steps being longer than those above, as shown. The lowest step, E, is supported by a bent bracerod, F, which extends transversely in arch form, its ends being secured .to the feet B of the rails by the bolts or fastenings which secure thereto the lower ends of the longitudinal truss-rods G. The upper ends of these trussrods are secured to the bent brackets H, which are formed with offset-bearings I and serve to support the rear extension of the upper step. These truss-rods are designed to brace the ladder laterally as well as directly, and therefore bearings are provided in the rear edges of the steps to engage the rods, as indicated at J.

] By means of these hearings therods Gareheld at an inward curvature, which is opposed to support the top step squarely. The hinges R,

whereby the brace M is connected to the ladder, are arranged at the angles aof the support-legs N, connecting the latter to an upper step, the second step from the top being preferred. The angular portions of the legs N may be braced by bars or straps b. Gross-braces V may be used to connect the legs N below the angle and strengthen the same. The legs N are usually provided with tapering loop-bearings c on their outer surfaces, adapted to receive the upper ends of props d, which extend therefrom outward and downward, and serve to support theladder against fallinglaterally. These props are seldom required, but will be found advantageous for timid persons, or those unaccustomed to the use of stepladders.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The outwardly-bowed rails A,having their lower ends, B, at an angle with their main portions, the steps provided with bearings, and the truss-rods extending longitudinally and engaging said bearings, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the outwardlybowed rails Aand the steps, of the truss-rods and the arch-brace under the lower step, the ends of which are'secured by the bolts which fasten the lower ends of the truss-rods to the side rails, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the side rails and the top strip or shelf having an extension, of the brackets supporting said extension and provided with offsets, and the truss-rods brac ing said side rails and secured to said offsets, substantially as specified.

4. The combination ofthelongitudinal trussat the angles,and above the same extending up rods with the side rails and steps of a stepladder. substantially as specified.

5. The combination, with the top step or shelf and the under spring-catch, of the angular brace-frame M, having its connectinghinges at its angular portions, substantially as specified.

6. In a step ladder having a rearwardly-extending upper shelf or step, the brace M, having angular legs N, hinged to the second step ward vertically, or nearly so,to support said top shelf or step squarely, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

D AVID A. FOSTER.

W'itnesses:

A. G. COMPTON, J. N. GILBERT. 

